"I am the Shaker of Society's Pillars, I have discovered that the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil bears nothing but rotten apples. There are milestones on the Bergen road--but I can see through most of them. I am the New Generation knocking at the old stage-door. I am also the Dramatiser of Social Conundrums to which there will never be any answer." Time passed--a second or an hour. I began to wish he would go. "I am the great Wizard that has ennobled and purified Humanity by showing that they are all the morbid victims of a diseased heredity. The great fire at Christiania was _not_ the fire in which _Mrs. Solness's_ nine dolls were burnt. I am he who has emancipated Woman by convincing her that she has the _right_ to be hysterical." Again time passed--an hour or a second. I fancy I must have dropped off to sleep. [Illustration: "I fancy I must have dropped off to sleep."] "I am he who has broken through the conventions of the well-constructed drama. When we lived at Drontheim, BERNICK'S gander was stolen by tinkers. I am the original eld, and also the child who instructs the grandmotherly critic in the art of sucking problematic eggs; but I, too, am a master-builder of magnificent bathos." And again time passed--a second or an hour. I wondered whether he had come to stay the night. "Read, I am called 'dramatic'; acted, I am called 'impossible.'" With that the cock crew. The stranger had flown before I had an opportunity of asking him his name or asking him to look in again some evening. I was rather sorry, for he seemed to have a flow of agreeable small talk, though it was perhaps a little egotistic. * * * * * THE WOULD-BE SOLDIER'S VADE MECUM. _Question._ Why did you become a member of a Volunteer corps? _Answer._ With the intention of strengthening our national defences. _Q._ Then you think such a proceeding patriotic? _A._ Not only patriotic, but necessary. [Illustration] _Q._ You probably have some recollection of the French collapse in 1870-71? _A._ Yes; but I have been chiefly influenced by considerations of a mathematical character. _Q._ Make your meaning plainer. _A._ I mean that it stands to reason that as only a small percentage of our people are trained to arms, and ninety-six per cent of our neighbours are converted into soldiers, the latter, in the case of a quarrel with us, would have the upper hand. _Q._ And you think a quarrel entailing the arbitration of the sword might be sprung upon us at any moment? _A._ Precisely; that is entirely my opinion. _Q._ And, consequently, you take a serious view of Volunteering? _A._ Assuredly, or I would not give up most of my leisure time to master drill in all its branches. _Q._ Do you obtain any social advantages by wearing the uniform of a Volunteer?